Craig Perry hugs dispatcher Susie Eley just before he hands her a recognition award issued by Florence Police Chief Mike DeLaurentis at the Florence City Council meeting Tuesday. (Christy Steadman / Daily Record)

Florence — Florence Police Chief Mike DeLaurentis gave six recognition awards to members of his law enforcement team for outstanding "dedication and professionalism" Tuesday evening at the Florence City Council meeting.

"I want to bring to the council and the citizens' attention some acts that occurred in the month of December that I thought should be recognized," DeLaurentis said Tuesday.

According to DeLaurentis, the three dispatchers received the award for their assistance in rescuing Craig Perry, a federal officer for the U.S. Forest Service.

"On a cold evening in December of 2013, Mother Nature herself reminded me that I am not invincible and no certificate on the wall could've benefitted me in helping myself to survive my predicament," Perry said. "I just want to take a little bit of your time to share with you a few thoughts regarding how amazing some of your public servants are."

According to Perry, he took the evening of Dec. 12 off work to enjoy some of the recreational activities of the area popular to outdoorsmen. Perry said he was hunting "just outside of Florence," near Colo. 115 and Colo. 120 and lost his footing on a slope. As he was "trotting" down the hill to regain balance, Perry said his right foot got caught in a wire fence, his right leg "snapped," and he was sent "cart-wheeling, head-first down the embankment, out of control."

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Perry said he was then "launched" off a 10-foot cliff.

Perry said he awoke after an unknown period of time, partially submerged in the Arkansas River. He said he struggled to get out of the river and regretted leaving his radio in his vehicle. After more struggle to get to the river's bank, Perry said he finally managed to get to a spot where service bars appeared on his cell phone and called 911.

"The next few things I would hear will never be forgotten," he said. "The first thing is hearing Tami's familiar voice, '911, what is your emergency?' The response was instantaneous. At that moment, I knew I was OK. I knew the end of my torment was in sight."

At the time of the call, Grisenti determined Perry's injuries were serious and that he was in need of immediate medical attention. Perry said once he arrived at the hospital, he was treated for hypothermia and since the incident, he has had several surgeries to repair his right leg, including a complete knee reconstruction surgery.

"I've been told numerous times that I'm lucky to have a leg at all — and to be alive, for that matter," Perry said.

According to DeLaurentis, dispatchers Eley and Crawford were off-duty, enjoying a Christmas party but "stepped in" to assist the dispatch center as Grisenti worked to guide rescue units to Perry.

The other commendation awards were given because of Prickett, Sweeney and Hall's "willingness to work as a team" to catch suspects involved in a theft incident Dec. 5 at Walmart.

According to their awards, the officers "were able to recover over $8,000 in stolen jewelry, a large amount of narcotics and take a parole violator off the streets of Florence."

"Out of the many opportunities I've had across the country as a law enforcement officer, the Florence Police Department has been one of the finest organizations I have worked with," Perry said. "Their commodore and willingness to support each other and work together is amazing."